Cold and flu season is here, local doctors are seeing early flu cases and recommend people get the flu shot

Respiratory virus season is officially here again.

Doctors are already seeing some early flu cases in their offices.

Small numbers, but definitely the flu season is getting started, said Dr. Timothy Hendrix, Chief Medical Officer, AdventHealth Centra Care.

Symptoms include a cough, runny nose, body aches, fatigue, and fever.

Influenza is different than your typical cough and cold, upper respiratory virus. It is more severe and it lasts longer. So it could be a week before you start feeling better, said Hendrix.

Its estimated that between 20,000 and 50,000 people die from the flu each year.

To avoid severe symptoms, hospitalizations, and to increase your odds of not getting sick at all, many doctors recommend people get the flu vaccine.

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